Publications by authors named "Melody Milliron"

Article Synopsis
  • Cutaneous leishmaniasis can be a potential cause of skin ulcers in patients who have recently traveled abroad and present to the emergency department.
  • Patients may seek help from multiple healthcare providers before receiving the correct diagnosis.
  • A multidisciplinary approach, including consultation with infectious disease specialists, is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, such as intravenous amphotericin B.
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Patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with an orangutan bite require a series of prophylactic treatments. We present a unique case of an orangutan bite in a 29-year-old male ED patient who was brought by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for evaluation of an orangutan bite to the right upper extremity with a suspected fourth proximal phalanx fracture. He was referred to hand surgery for a washout and open reduction.

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A 21-year-old female with a past medical history of chronic tonsilitis presented to the emergency department (ED) with a sore throat and swelling in her neck for a two-week duration. The patient was noted to have pancytopenia with blasts on peripheral blood differential, so she was transferred for admission at an outside facility for further evaluation and management. Bone marrow biopsy revealed T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with 39.

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Article Synopsis
  • 51-year-old male experienced left flank pain after nearly falling, leading to the diagnosis of suspected acute dissection of the left renal artery from a CT scan.
  • Renal artery dissections often go unnoticed after minor trauma, as initial symptoms may not be severe, despite being associated with blunt abdominal injuries.
  • Management approaches depend on injury age, kidney preservation, and other injuries, requiring a collaborative discussion among various specialist teams for optimal care.
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Acute pharyngitis is a common complaint in emergency department (ED), urgent care, and primary care settings. Most cases are due to bacterial or viral infections easily treated with antibiotics or supportive care. However, serious pathologies in the pharyngitis differential include Ludwig's angina, peritonsillar abscess, retropharyngeal abscess, and bacterial tracheitis.

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Article Synopsis
  • Patients in the emergency department with right lower quadrant pain often have acute appendicitis as a primary concern, but unusual cases can occur.
  • A 45-year-old female patient initially suspected to have appendicitis was ultimately diagnosed with iliopsoas bursitis, linked to her sleep position.
  • Understanding and identifying atypical causes of right lower quadrant pain is crucial for accurate diagnosis and to prevent unnecessary complications.
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Postoperative abdominal pain after gastric surgery requires thorough evaluation in the ED. Portomesenteric venous thrombosis (PMVT) is a rare complication after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, which requires prompt evaluation and diagnosis. Patients require admission with prompt anticoagulation and broad-spectrum antibiotics due to the risk of decompensation from intestinal ischemia and sepsis from bowel translocation.

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Case Presentation: A 50-year-old male with a history of multiple sclerosis with dizziness and nystagmus presented to the emergency department. On physical exam, nystagmus was noted. Computed tomography of the head without contrast was obtained showing a low density in the left frontal lobe.

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Objective: End-of-life interventions should be predicated on consensus understanding of patient wishes. Written documents are not always understood; adding a video testimonial/message (VM) might improve clarity. Goals of this study were to (1) determine baseline rates of consensus in assigning code status and resuscitation decisions in critically ill scenarios and (2) determine whether adding a VM increases consensus.

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